Fifty years ago, the Austrian government and the United Nations agreed to establish the European Centre for Social Welfare Training and Research (since 1989: European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research) in Vienna. This foundation had been preceded by five years of intergovernmental negotiations, notably during a conference of European ministers responsible for social affairs in The Hague in 1972. Ministers had “acknowledged that the development of research and advanced training in social welfare is one of the most urgent priorities of European co-operation.” The Secretary-General supported this undertaking by facilitating the participation and support of other European member states of the United Nations. The key purpose of the Centre was (and remains) “to promote co-operation in Europe in the field of social welfare.” Being now in its 50th year, the European Centre has shown resilience and the ability to adapt to the global context by promoting and supporting international cooperation in the field of social welfare, initiating innovative research programmes and disseminating knowledge that bridges the worlds of research and policymaking.
The Annual Report 2024 provides an overview of research priorities, strategic objectives of research teams and our focus on bridge-building with candidate countries to EU accession. Moreover, objectives and results of 22 past and ongoing projects are briefly outlined, together with related publications, dissemination and training activities.
